Changes in urinary output due to concomitant administration of sacubitril/valsartan and atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: Sacubitril/valsartan is an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) that inhibits the degradation of endogenous natriuretic peptides. Therefore, ARNIs may increase the efficacy of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP), a drug for acute heart failure, by mediating its pharmacological mechanism. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of ARNIs on the pharmacological effects of hANP by using surrogate marker, such as urinary output, in patients with heart failure.

Efficacy of initial conservative treatment options for temporomandibular disorders: A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Purpose: This network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to identify effective initial conservative treatment strategies for patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).

Study Selection: RCTs comparing treatment options for TMD published between January 2000 and July 2021 were retrieved from the databases of PubMed and Embase via a comprehensive electronic search. Patients diagnosed with myalgia (muscle pain) or arthralgia (joint pain) according to pain-related Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were eligible for inclusion.

Attitudes toward smoking cessation according to smoking status among dentists in the Aichi Dental Association in Japan.

Introduction: The prevalence of smoking, including heated tobacco products (HTPs), among Japanese dentists was reported to be 16.5%, significantly higher than that among Japanese physicians and United States dentists. However, large-scale studies on smoking cessation implementation based on dentists' smoking status and perceptions since the introduction of HTPs are lacking.

Protocol of a phase II study investigating the efficacy and safety of trifluridine/tipiracil plus ramucirumab as a third-line or later treatment for advanced gastric cancer.

In Japan, systemic chemotherapy is the standard treatment for unresectable, advanced, or recurrent gastric cancer. However, numerous patients with gastric cancer do not receive late-line treatment because of the rapid progression of gastric cancer. Additionally, late-line treatments, such as nivolumab, trifluridine tipiracil (FTD/TPI), or irinotecan, have limited effects on improving clinical symptoms and delaying the onset of symptoms associated with cancer progression.

Associations between oral health status and short-term functional outcomes in hospitalized patients aged over 65 years with acute ischemic stroke: a retrospective observational study.

Objective: To assess the associations between oral health status and short-term functional outcomes in hospitalized patients aged over 65 years with acute ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective observational analysis included older adult patients (age, ≥ 65 years) admitted for acute ischemic stroke. The oral health status at admission was evaluated using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT).

Harvest location has a minimal impact on differences in cross-sectional area of quadriceps tendon in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with quadriceps tendon (QT) has been gaining popularity. However, it is unknown how differences in harvest location of the QT affect its thickness and cross-sectional area (CSA). The present study aimed to clarify the differences in thickness and CSA of the QT based on location of tendon harvesting.

Involvement of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with normocytic anemia.

Objectives: Deficiencies in folate (FA) and vitamin B12 (VB12) are causes of macrocytic anemia. However, in clinical practice, FA and/or VB12 deficiency can occur in patients with normocytic anemia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FA/VB12 deficiency in patients with normocytic anemia and the importance of vitamin replacement therapy in these patients.

Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Digoxin Toxicity in Heart Failure: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Digoxin toxicity (plasma digoxin concentration ≥0.9 ng/mL) is associated with worsening heart failure (HF). Decision tree (DT) analysis, a machine learning method, has a flowchart-like model where users can easily predict the risk of adverse drug reactions.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Glenohumeral Joint Stability Immediately After Arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow Procedure.

Background: The changes in glenohumeral joint stability after surgery in a clinical setting are yet unknown.

Purpose/hypothesis: This study aimed to compare the anterior humeral head translation between pre- and postsurgical conditions using ultrasonography. It was hypothesized that ultrasonographic assessment would reveal decreased anterior translation.

Elasticity of the Scalene Muscles in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers Using Shear Wave Elastography.

Background: Thoracic outlet syndrome is more common in overhead athletes. The anterior and middle scalene muscles have been associated with thoracic outlet syndrome; however, the relationship between the elastic moduli of the scalene muscles and the overhead-throwing position has not been evaluated.

Purpose: To investigate the elastic moduli of the anterior and middle scalene muscles in simulated throwing positions using shear wave elastography.

Ultrasound Assessment of Anterior Humeral Head Translation in Patients With Anterior Shoulder Instability: Correlation With Demographic, Radiographic, and Clinical Data.

Background: Ultrasonography can be used to quantitatively assess anterior humeral head translation (AHHT) at different degrees of shoulder abduction. Risk factors for recurrent shoulder instability have been identified.

Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that the number of dislocations or glenoid or humeral bone loss would be associated with more AHHT as measured using ultrasound.

Prognosis of elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients stratified by B-type natriuretic peptide: ELDERCARE-AF subanalysis.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a risk factor for stroke and cardiac death in patients with atrial fibrillation. We hypothesized the prognostic outcomes of very elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients ineligible for standard anticoagulation treatment would vary according to BNP stratification.

Methods: In this subanalysis of the ELDERCARE-AF trial, patients were stratified by BNP levels at enrollment, and clinical outcomes compared among BNP subgroups.

Plantar flexion with inversion shows highest elastic modulus of calcaneofibular ligament using ultrasound share wave elastography.

Purpose: The functional role of the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) is still controversial. We aimed to investigate the anatomical features of the CFL on sonography and the elastic modulus of the CFL in different ankle positions using ultrasound shear-wave elastography (SWE).

Methods: In 14 cadaveric ankles, the angle of the CFL with respect to the long axis of the fibula was measured in the following ankle positions: neutral (N), 30° plantar flexion (PF), and 20° dorsiflexion (DF).

Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by Dural Arteriovenous Fistula of the Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus without Vessel Compression at Root Entry Zone.

Objective: The vessel compression at the root entry zone (REZ) of trigeminal nerve is a common cause of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). We report a rare case of TN caused by dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) of the transverse-sigmoid sinus without vessel compression at REZ.

Case Presentation: A 45-year-old woman presented with right side tinnitus and was diagnosed as a DAVF of the right transverse-sigmoid sinus (Borden Type I).

The Effect of Stent Design on Plaque Protrusion after Carotid Artery Stenting.

Objective: The association between stent design and post-stent intravascular findings after carotid artery stenting (CAS) was evaluated.

Methods: Among the 79 patients who underwent CAS between March 2016 and June 2020 at our institution, we retrospectively analyzed 65 patients with full post-stent intravascular evaluation by both optical frequency domain imaging and angioscopy. All CAS procedures were performed under the flow reversal method, and the stent selection was determined by each operator's discretion, depending on the vessel anatomy or plaque characteristics.

Morphological Evaluation of the Quadriceps Tendon Using Preoperative Ultrasound in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: An evaluation of quadriceps tendon (QT) morphology preoperatively is an important step when selecting an individually appropriate autograft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, to our knowledge, there are no studies that have assessed the morphology of the entire QT in an ACL-injured knee preoperatively using ultrasound.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of the QT using preoperative ultrasound in ACL-injured knees.

Bilateral suprascapular notches are asymmetrically shaped in a third of the Asian population.

Purpose: The side-to-side differences within an individual's suprascapular notch (SSN) and the clinical characteristics of an ossified superior transverse scapular ligament are unclear. Therefore, the morphological asymmetry of the SSN was investigated, and the factors associated with the ossification of the superior transverse scapular ligament were analyzed.

Methods: Two hundred and seventy-six computed tomography images were retrospectively analyzed, which included those of both scapulae of Asian patients (mean age, 62.

Clinical guidelines for total temporomandibular joint replacement.

Total joint replacement (TJR) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a promising surgical procedure and device for treating end-stage diseases of the TMJ. For the functional and aesthetic reconstruction of the oral and maxillofacial head and neck region, TMJ TJR significantly helps maintain the patient's quality of life in terms of a better diet, mastication, speech and social interaction. TMJ TJR was approved by regulatory authorities in 2019 in Japan, thus enabling the clinical application of the TJR system.

A Case of Delayed Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage Due to Hyperperfusion After Flow Diverter Treatment.

Delayed intraparenchymal hemorrhage (DIPH) is one of the complications of flow diverter (FD) treatment, however, the mechanism is unclear. We present the case of a 54-year-old woman with a partially thrombosed large internal carotid artery aneurysm. She presented intraparenchymal hemorrhage in the right parietal lobe three days after the successful FD treatment.